Sylhet: Filling station owners observed a half-day strike at all fuel filling stations in Sylhet division on Tuesday, demanding an end to the ongoing crisis in the fuel marketing sector and ensuring the safety of pump staff.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the strike, which was called from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm, was announced by the Sylhet divisional committee of the Bangladesh Petroleum Dealers, Distributors, Agents and Petrol Pump Owners Association on Monday night. Leaders of the organisation stated that the protest was in response to an attack on the manager of Uttara Petroleum in the Choukidekhi area of the city. The manager was seriously injured after being stabbed by a person who arrived to collect fuel.
The organisation’s leaders have demanded the swift arrest of the attackers and exemplary punishment. Following an emergency meeting, acting president of the association, Barrister Riyashad Azim Adnan, explained that the half-day symbolic strike aimed to urge the correction of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation’s flawed fuel marketing policy and to restore fuel supply in the Sylhet division through a modern and efficient system.
Adnan warned that if the authorities fail to take prompt and effective measures, the organisation might announce stricter actions in the future.